Sun screen device

ABSTRACT

A sun screen device includes a support unit, a flexible screen body, a collapsible frame, and a cylinder-and-piston rod assembly. The flexible screen body is secured to the support unit. The collapsible frame is coupled to the support unit and the flexible screen body, and is operable between an extended position to thereby expand the flexible screen body, and a retracted position to thereby contract the flexible screen body. The cylinder-and-piston rod assembly is coupled pivotably to the support unit and the collapsible frame for urging movement of the collapsible frame to the extended position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a sun screen device, more particularly to a sun screen device for an automobile.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional sun screen device, as illustrated in FIG. 1, for covering and uncovering a rear windshield (not shown) of an automobile (not shown), includes a support unit 71, a flexible screen body 72, a collapsible frame, and an electric motor unit 74. The support unit 71 includes a tubular seat 711, and a shaft 712 disposed in and mounted rotatably on the tubular seat 711. The flexible screen body 72 extends into the tubular seat 711, is wound on the shaft 712, and has a secured end secured to the shaft 712, and a free end opposite to the secured end thereof and provided with a batten 723. The shaft 712 is rotatable relative to the tubular seat 711 in a first rotational direction to thereby wind the flexible screen body 72 thereon, and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction to thereby unwind the flexible screen body 72 therefrom. The collapsible frame is operable between an extended position to thereby unwind the flexible screen body 72 from the shaft 712, and a retracted position to thereby wind the flexible screen body 72 on the shaft 712. The collapsible frame includes left and right frame parts 73, each of which has first and second frame portions 731, 732. The first frame portion 731 of each of the left and right frame parts 73 has opposite first and second ends, and is coupled pivotably at a position proximate to the first end thereof to the tubular seat 711. The second frame portion 732 of each of the left and right frame parts 73 has a first end coupled pivotably to the second end of the first frame portion 731 of a respective one of the left and right frame parts 73, and a second end coupled pivotably to the batten 723. The electric motor unit 74 includes a motor 741, a rotatable plate 742, and left and right linking arms 743, 744. The motor 741 is mounted on the tubular seat 711. The rotatable plate 742 is coupled to the motor 741. The left linking arm 743 has a first end coupled pivotably to the first end of the first frame portion 731 of the left frame part 73, and a second end coupled pivotably to the rotatable plate 742. The right linking arm 744 has a first end coupled pivotably to the first end of the first frame portion 731 of the right frame part 73, and a second end coupled pivotably to the rotatable plate 742.

In operation, at an initial state shown in FIG. 1, where the collapsible frame is disposed at the extended position, when the motor 741 is actuated, the rotatable plate 742 rotates in a clockwise direction. This permits the left and right linking arms 743, 744 to push the first ends of the first frame portions 731 of the left and right frame parts 73, respectively. This, in turn, results in movement of the collapsible frame to the retracted position, as best shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, when the motor 741 is again actuated, the rotatable plate 742 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. This permits each of the left and right linking arms 743, 744 to pull the first ends of the first frame portions 731 of the left and right frame parts 73, respectively. This, in turn, results in movement of the collapsible frame back to the extended position.

Although the aforementioned conventional sun screen device achieves its intended purpose, the conventional sun screen device requires electric power in order to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a sun screen device that can overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior art.

According to the present invention, a sun screen device comprises a support unit, a flexible screen body, a collapsible frame, and a cylinder-and-piston rod assembly. The flexible screen body is secured to the support unit. The collapsible frame is coupled to the support unit and the flexible screen body, and is operable between an extended position to thereby expand the flexible screen body, and a retracted position to thereby contract the flexible screen body. The cylinder-and-piston rod assembly is coupled pivotably to the support unit and the collapsible frame for urging movement of the collapsible frame to the extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional sun screen device disposed at an extended position;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view to illustrate a state where the conventional sun screen device is moving from the extended position to a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of a sunscreen device according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment in a state of use;

FIG. 5 is schematic view of the first preferred embodiment to illustrate a flexible screen body secured to a support unit;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic view to illustrate a cylinder-and-piston rod assembly of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary schematic view to illustrate a state where the first preferred embodiment is disposed at a retracted position; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a sun screen device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first preferred embodiment of a sun screen device according to this invention is shown to include a support unit 1, a flexible screen body 2, a collapsible frame 3, and a pair of cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4.

The sun screen device of this embodiment is mounted on a rear deck 62 of an automobile 6, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and is operable so as to cover a rear windshield 61 of the automobile 6, in a manner that will be described hereinafter.

The support unit 1 includes a mounting seat 14 and a shaft 13. The mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1 includes a base wall 11, and left and right lateral walls 12, each of which extends transversely from the base wall 11 and is connected to a respective one of opposite left and right ends of the base wall 11. In this embodiment, the left and right lateral walls 12 and the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 cooperatively define an accommodating space 10 there among. The shaft 13 is disposed in the accommodating space 10 in the mounting seat 14, and has opposite ends coupled rotatably and respectively to the left and right lateral walls 12 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1.

The flexible screen body 2, as illustrated in FIG. 5, is wound on the shaft 13, and has a secured end 21 secured to the shaft 13, and a free end 22 opposite to the secured end 21 thereof.

The sun screen device further includes a batten 23 provided along the free end 22 of the flexible screen body 2.

In this embodiment, the shaft 13 is rotatable relative to the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1 in a first rotational direction to thereby wind the flexible screen body 2 thereon, whereby the flexible screen body 2 uncovers the rear windshield 61 of the automobile 6, and a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction to thereby unwind the flexible screen body 2 therefrom, whereby the flexible screen body 2 covers the rear windshield 61 of the automobile 6.

The collapsible frame 3 is operable between an extended position to thereby expand the flexible screen body 2, i.e., unwind the flexible screen body 2 from the shaft 13, and a retracted position to thereby contract the flexible screen body 2, i.e., wind the flexible screen body 2 on the shaft 13. In this embodiment, the collapsible frame 3 includes left and right frame parts 31, each of which has first and second frame portions 311, 312. The first frame portion 311 of each of the left and right frame parts 31 of the collapsible frame 3 has a first end 313 disposed in the accommodating space 10 and coupled pivotably to the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1, and a second end opposite to the first end 313 thereof. The second frame portion 312 of each of the left and right frame parts 31 of the collapsible frame 3 has a first end coupled pivotably to the second end of the first frame portion 311 of a respective one of the left and right frame parts 31, and a second end 314 opposite to the first end thereof and coupled pivotably to the batten 23.

The sun screen device further includes left and right link units, each of which includes first and second linking arms 43, 42. The first linking arm 43 of each of the left and right link units is disposed in the accommodating space 10 in the mounting seat 14 and coupled pivotably to the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1. The second linking arm 42 of each of the left and right link units is coupled pivotably to the first linking arm 43 of a respective one of the left and right link units and the first frame portion 311 of a respective one of the left and right frame parts 31 of the collapsible frame 3.

With further reference to FIG. 6, each of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4 serves to urge movement of the collapsible frame 3 to the extended position. In particular, each of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assembles 4 includes a cylinder 41 coupled pivotably at an end thereof to the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1, and a piston rod 45 coupled pivotably at an exposed end thereof to the first and second linking arms 43, 42 of a respective one of the left and right link units. In this embodiment, each of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4 is a pneumatic cylinder. In an alternative embodiment, each of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4 may be a hydraulic cylinder.

In operation, at an initial state, where the collapsible frame 3 is disposed at the extended position, i.e., the flexible screen body 2 covers the rear windshield 61 of the automobile 6, as shown in FIG. 4, the exposed end of the piston rod 45 of each of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4 is disposed distal from the cylinder 41 of a respective one of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4. In this state, when it is desired to uncover the rear windshield 61 of the automobile 6, the batten 23 is simply moved toward the support unit 1 by exerting a pulling force thereon. This results in movement of the collapsible frame 3 to the retracted position against urging action of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4. In this state, as best shown in FIG. 7, the exposed end of the piston rod 45 of each of the cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4 is disposed proximate to the cylinder 41 of a respective one of the cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4. Thereafter, when it is desired to cover the rear windshield 61 of the automobile 6, the batten 23 is simply released from a retaining force applied thereon (to be described below). This results in movement of the collapsible frame 3 back to the extended position due to the urging action of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4.

It is noted that, in this embodiment, when the collapsible frame 3 is disposed at the retracted position, the first and second frame portions 311, 312 of each of the left and right frame parts 31 of the collapsible frame 3 overlap each other and are disposed in the accommodating space 10 in the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1.

The sun screen device further includes a retaining unit 5 for retaining the collapsible frame 3 at the retracted position. In this embodiment, the retaining unit 5 includes a first retaining member 52 mounted on the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1, and a second retaining member 51 mounted movably on the free end 22 of the flexible screen body 2 through the batten 23. As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the collapsible frame 3 is disposed at the retracted position, the second retaining member 51 is movable relative to the batten 23 between an engaging position, where the second retaining member 51 engages the first retaining member 52, and a disengaging position, where the second retaining member 51 is disengaged from the first retaining member 52. The retaining unit 5 further includes a biasing member (not shown) for biasing the second retaining member 51 to the engaging position. In this embodiment, the first retaining member 52 is formed with a groove, and the second retaining member 51 has a hook shape for engaging releasably the groove in the first retaining member 52.

The sun screen device further includes left and right adjusting units 44, each of which is operable to adjust an angle between a respective one of the cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4 and the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1. In particular, each of the left and right adjusting units 44 includes first and second adjusting members 441, 442. The first adjusting member 441 of each of the left and right adjusting units 44 is disposed in the accommodating space 10 in the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1 and is slidable along the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1. The second adjusting member 442 of each of the left and right adjusting units 44 is coupled to the first adjusting member 441 of a respective one of the left and right adjusting unit 44, and is operable so as to dispose and retain the first adjusting member 441 of the respective one of the left and right adjusting unit 44 at different positions along the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1. In this embodiment, the first adjusting member 441 of each of the left and right adjusting units 44 is formed with a threaded hole. The second adjusting member 442 of each of the left and right adjusting units 44 is in the form of a screw rod, is coupled rotatably to a respective one of the left and right lateral walls 12 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1, and threadedly engages the threaded hole in the first adjusting member 441 of a respective one of the left and right adjusting units 44.

The first linking arm 43 of each of the left and right link units is coupled pivotably to the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit through the first adjusting member 441 of a respective one of the left and right adjusting units 44.

When it desired to enlarge the angle between each of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4 and the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1 so as to permit the flexible screen body 2 to cover a relatively large-sized rear windshield 61, the second adjusting members 442 of the left and right adjusting members 44 are simply rotated such that the first adjusting members 441 of the left and right adjusting units 44 move toward each other and are respectively disposed distal from the left and right lateral walls 12 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1. Conversely, when it desired to reduce the angle between each of the left and right cylinder-and-piston rod assemblies 4 and the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1 so as to permit the flexible screen body 2 to cover a relatively small-sized rear windshield 61, the second adjusting members 442 of the left and right adjusting members 44 are simply rotated such that the first adjusting members 441 of the left and right adjusting units 44 move away from each other and are respectively disposed proximate to the left and right lateral walls 12 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1. The sun screen device of this invention is therefore capable of being adjusted to suit different sizes of rear windshields of automobiles.

It is noted that although the collapsible frame 3 of this invention is exemplified to include the left and right frame parts 31, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the collapsible frame 3 may include only one of the left and right frame parts 31. In this case, the first end 313 of the first frame portion 311 of the single frame part 31 is coupled pivotably at a center of the base wall 11 of the mounting seat 14 of the support unit 1 and the second end 314 of the second frame portion 312 of the single frame part 31 is coupled pivotably at a center of the batten 23.

FIG. 8 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a sun screen device according to this invention. When compared to the previous embodiment, the second frame portion 312 (see FIG. 3) of each of the left and right frame parts 31 of the collapsible frame 3 is dispensed with, and the second end of the first frame portion 311 of each of the left and right frame parts 31 of the collapsible frame 3 is coupled directly and pivotably to the batten 23.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A sun screen device, comprising: a support unit; a flexible screen body secured to said support unit; a collapsible frame coupled to said support unit and said flexible screen body, and operable between an extended position to thereby expand said flexible screen body, and a retracted position to thereby contract said flexible screen body; and a cylinder-and-piston rod assembly coupled pivotably to said support unit and said collapsible frame for urging movement of said collapsible frame to the extended position.
 2. The sun screen device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said collapsible frame includes a frame part that includes first and second frame portions, said first frame portion of said frame part having a first end coupled pivotably to said support unit, and a second end opposite to said first end thereof, said second frame portion of said frame part having a first end coupled pivotably to said second end of said first frame portion of said frame part, and a second end opposite to said first end thereof and coupled pivotably to said flexible screen body, said cylinder-and-piston rod assembly being coupled pivotably to said support unit and said first frame portion of said frame part of said collapsible frame.
 3. The sun screen device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a first linking arm coupled pivotably to said support unit; and a second linking arm coupled pivotably to said first frame portion of said frame part of said collapsible frame, said cylinder-and-piston rod assembly being coupled pivotably to said support unit and said first and second linking arms.
 4. The sun screen device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an adjusting unit for adjusting an angle between said cylinder-and-piston rod assembly and said support unit, said adjusting unit including a first adjusting member slidable along said support unit, and a second adjusting member coupled to said support unit and said first adjusting member, and operable so as to dispose and retain said first adjusting member at different positions along said support unit, said first linking arm being coupled pivotably to said support unit through said first adjusting member of said adjusting unit.
 5. The sun screen device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first adjusting member is formed with a threaded hole, and said second adjusting member is coupled rotatably to said support unit, and is in the form of a screw rod for threadedly engaging said first adjusting member.
 6. The sun screen device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a retaining unit for retaining said collapsible frame at the retracted position, said retaining unit including a first retaining member that is mounted on said support unit, and a second retaining member that is mounted on said flexible screen body and that engages releasably said first retaining unit.
 7. The sun screen device as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of said first and second retaining members is formed with a groove, and the other of said first and second retaining members has a hook shape for engaging releasably said groove.
 8. The sun screen device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible screen body has a secured end secured to said support unit, and a free end opposite to said secured end thereof, said sun screen device further comprising a batten provided along said free end of said flexible screen body, said collapsible frame being coupled to said support unit and said free end of said flexible screen body. 